What To Do
Cultural Activities
From the stage to the gallery, from outdoor concerts to theaters, Bedford and surrounding areas offer an exciting range of outstanding cultural events. Rediscover the traditions of bluegrass, blues and country music, attend festivals with an international flair, explore the artists of the 18th and 19th centuries, or take in opera, ballet or plays that draw crowds from the entire area. Bedford, just one-half hour from Roanoke and Lynchburg, opens the doors to cultural opportunities. Check out our calendar for a listing and dates of all regional events.
Bedford Council for the Arts
The Cultural Committee of Bedford Main Street, Inc.
P. O. Box 672
Bedford, VA 24523
540-586-2148
The Friends of the Bedford Public Library
321 North Bridge St
Bedford, VA 24523
540-586-8911 ext 18
Web: www.friendsofbedfordlibrary.org
Email: folbedfordva@qmail.com
Little Town Players
Elks National Home Theatre
P. O. Box 437
Bedford, VA 24523
Patsy Martin, President
540-586-5881
540-586-5144 - Fax
Email: president@littletownplayers.com
Web: www.littletownplayers.com
Bedford's award winning community theatre, offering a yearly Fall to Spring season of comedies, dramas and musicals with Summer Theatre camps for youth.
The Sedalia Center
1108 Sedalia School Road
Big Island, VA 24526
434-299-5080
434-299-6463 - Fax
Email: events@sedalia.center.org
Web: www.sedaliacenter.org
Visitors to the Center enjoy large cultural festivals featuring internationally known talent in the outdoor covered pavilion. The Center also offers a wide range of art related classes for adults and children, along with monthly Coffeehouses. The Sedalia Center is the perfect destination for families to enjoy the beauty and splendor of the Blue Ridge Mountains in a fun and safe environment.
Bedford City/County Museum
201 East Main Street
Bedford, VA 24523
540-586-4520
Web: www.bedfordvamuseum.org
Collections that tell Bedford's story from its earliest Native American residents through the last half of the 20th century. Popular exhibits include the Company A of the 116th Infantry, a Native American and African American exhibits. Genealogical records and other materials for research about Bedford and Virginia are here. Inquire about our research assistance for genealogists outside the Bedford area. The museum is open from 10-5 Monday thru Saturday.
The Bedford Historical Society
315 North Bridge Street
P. O. Box 602
Bedford, VA 24523
Email: bedfordhs@aol.com
Web: www.bedfordhistory.org/
Bedford Main Street & Bedford Walking Tour
108 E. Main Street
Bedford, VA 24523
540-586-2148
Web: www.centertownbedford.com
The Arts Council of the Blue Ridge
20 East Church Avenue
Roanoke, VA 24011
540-342-5790
Web: www.theartscouncil.org
Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest
P.O. Box 419
Forest, VA 24551
434-534-8118
Web: www.poplarforest.org
Booker T. Washington National Monument
12130 Booker T. Washington Highway
Hardy, VA 24101
540-721-2094
Web: www.nps.gov/bowa
The National D-Day Memorial Foundation
P.O. Box 77
Bedford, VA 24523
800-351-DDAY, 540-586-DDAY
Web: www.dday.org
Bedford Community Orchestra
540-947-0208
Email: BedfordCommOrch@hotmail.com
The Bedford Community Orchestra (BCO), founded in 1989, is a non-profit organization serving Bedford County and surrounding communities. The orchestra has two seasons per year, ending in free public concerts in the spring and fall. The orchestra is sponsored by the Bedford County Parks and Recreation Department and by the Elks National Home.
BCO's repertoire consists of orchestral scores representing the baroque, classical, impressionistic and romantic periods as well as contemporary movie scores, jazz and pop arrangements. Concerts include full orchestra and small ensembles.
Bower Center for the Arts
305 North Bridge Street
Bedford, VA 24523
540-586-4235
For additional information, schedules and ticket information on regional cultural events:
Smith Mountain Lake
800-676-8203, 540-721-1203
Web: www.visitsmithmountainlake.com
Lynchburg
1-800-REAL VA 1, 434-847-1811
Web: www.lynchburgchamber.org
Roanoke
800-635-5535
Web: www.visitroanokeva.com
Franklin County
540-483-9009
Web: www.visitfranklincountyVA.org
Nelson County
800-282-8223, 434-263-5239
Web: www.nelsoncounty.com
Lexington/Rockbridge County
877-453-9822, 540-463-1105
Web: www.lexingtonvirginia.com
Appomottox County
800-388-9119, 703-838-4200
Web: www.appomotox.com
Charlottesville/Albermarle
877-386-1102, 434-293-6789
Web: www.pursuecharlottesville.com
Salem
888-VA SALEM, 540-375-4044
Web: www.visitsalemva.com
© 2007 Bedford Tourism and Welcome Center
816 Burks Hill Road | Bedford, VA 24523
Phone: 540-587-5681 | 1-877-447-3257 | Fax: 540-587-5983
Photos used on the website are courtesy of Lynn Kirby, AxisCreativeNet,
Don Hall Photography, and Gar Brandt Photography. All Rights Reserved.
